Alarm and annunciator device



y 1, 1953 E. D. SMITH 2,646,557"

ALARM AND ANNUNCIATOR DEVICE Filed Aug. 1'7, 1950 2 shaqxs-fiheet 1 Power Source 30 29 5% US FIG. I 4 6 8 I evlces A 1, 2 ,l2

l4 7 v JNormcLl l9 r22 2e l A I EOWBY I I 2 H6. 2 h/ }To Qther 2 4 s 8 I6 2711 A 28 Dewces fig fi Alarm 7 I4 24 ower iurce 30 A I 9 w q ToQther G. 3

z 4 5 l9 ,,/l6 27 23 26 Dev'ce ,|2

ll M F '1 2| 25 lTrouble J Power Source 30 I 29 r To Other FIG. 4

Devices 4 6 II 27 p 4 I916 \-|2 2| 25 I8 Clear 7 IO 15 g INVENTOR.

Eric D. Smith BY 2 Atrys.

E. D. SMITH ALARMaAND ANNUNCIATOR DEVICE July 21, 19543 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1950 FIG 5 NOB/MAL FIG 6 ALARM FIG. 7

TROUBLE INVENTOR. Eric D. Smith Patented July 21 1 9 3;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALARM AND ANNUNCIATOR DEVICE Eric D. Smith, Chicago, Ill. Application August r1, 1950, Serial No. 180,049

This invention relates to annunciators or alarm devices, particularly such as are adapted for use in engine rooms, power plants, industrial plants, and the like, for giving a signal of the existence of an abnormal condition at a specific place or machine, or part of a machine. a

In accordance with the principles of the present invention a number of alarms or annunciator devices are connected each to one machine, or one part of a machine, the annunciators being all mounted adjacent to one another on a switchboard or the like. When an abnormal condition occurs on any of the machines or places that are to be protected a light operates on the particular 4 annunciator, and an audible alarm i -given. 'The alarm calls the attendants attention to the annunciators, and a light on the particular annunciator involved indicates the type of fault or other condition involved, and the location thereof The present invention is particularly adapted for use where certainty of operation is of utmost importance and where signals must indicate not only momentary alarms which can be reset at once, but also must indicate abnormal conditions which may remain for some time, and once such abnormal conditions have occurred the annunciator must indicate the continuance of the abnormal condition, and when the abnormal condi-- tion has been cleared the annunciator must affirmatively indicate that fact.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an annunciator which includes a lamp which is mounted on or part of a movable pointer. The separat positions of the pointer indicate the respective conditions of the circuit associated with that annunciator and the lighted lamp on the pointer serves to attract the operators attention to the particular annunciator wherein the pointer is moved to the off-normal position. In order to accomplish the above results each particular annunciator of the present invention has a number A solenoid operated trip latch which requires very little power.

Since the pointer is also the reset key each alarm device or annunciator is a complete unit and require no additional bell reset, drop reset,

12 Claims. (Cl. 340213) relays or housing, and can therefore be mounted singly or in any desired number or arrangement;

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an annuciator wherein the pointer or reset key is so constructed that it can be plugged into or pulled out of the rest of the structure as maybe necessary in the event of lamp failure or if a change of color is desired.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an alarm device so constructed that it gives one audible signal when it is energized to its alarm position and 'a different audible signal when it is energized to move from a trouble position to a clear position.

In accordance with the principles of the resent invention the visual signal or light i off when the annunciator is in its normal position, and the light is on when the annunciator is in any of its off-normal positions. which may remain for some time the operator then moves the pointer, which includes the lamp, to the trouble position. In this position the audible signal is discontinued but the visual signal is continued, thus indicating the existence of a trouble condition whichmust be cleared. If

that trouble condition is then cleared, after the visual signal of the annunciator has been moved from the alarm position to the trouble position, the clearance of the trouble then causes the alarm indicator to move to a fourthv position, where it remains lighted indicating a clear condition, and a different audible signal is given to call attention to the fact that the trouble which previously existed has been cleared. The annunciator can'then be moved from the clear position back to the normal position.

The attainment of the above and further objectsof the present invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in'conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a v part thereof.

In the drawing: 7 Figur 1 is a diagrammatic view of the annunciator, showing the circuit connections when'the Figure 9 is'a longitudinal View of the commutator shaft and key, in partial section;

If a fault is one Figures 10, 11 and 12 are sections taken on Figure 9 along the lines -10, H-ll, and 12-12, respectively, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 13 is a front view of the pointer; and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view showing an alternate location of the control relay.

Reference may now be had more particularly to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout.

The annunciator of the present invention, indicated by the reference character A, is adapted to be electrically connected to a power source, indicated by power leads I-l', which may be any alternating or direct commercial current source. Figure 1 shows, schematically, the electric diagram and the relative positions of the parts when a remote control alarm contact 2 is open and the device is latched in its normal position. The remote alarm contact 2 is an electric contact located at the place where trouble is to be detected and is arranged to be actuated whenever trouble occurs. In the present instance it is shown as a normally open contact arranged to be closed when trouble occurs. It can equally well be a normally closed contact arranged to be opened when trouble occurs, in which event an abnormal condition would be manifested by the opening of a normally closed circuit, as will be apparent as this description proceeds. The remote alarm contact 2 controls the circuit to the winding of an electromagnetic coil 4 of the relay type, which in turn controls an armature 6. When the coil 4 is not energized the armature 6 is held in the position shown in Figure 1, which is the position away from the coil. It is held in that position by a spring or by gravity as is usual in the relay art. The armature-6 is here shown as pivoted at 1 and carrying at one end thereof an armature latch 8 which, in the position shown in Figure 1, engages a commutator shaft latch pin ID that is rigid with and extends outwardly from a rotatable commutator shaft II. The shaft is arranged to be turned in one direction manually by a pointer or key I2, shown more particularly in Figure 9, against the action of one or more springs which serve to restore the shaft under control of the armature 6 acting through its latch- 8 and another latch to be later described. It is sufiicient here to state that the pointer or key I2 is located at the front of the annunciator and carries a visible signal in the form of an,

electric lam I3 which may be of the glow discharge type or any other type as desired. It is sufficient here to state that when the parts are in the position illustrated in Figure 1, which is the normal position, the shaft is spring biased to urge it to turn to the alarm position of Figure 2, but is held by the armature latch 8 against turning to that position. The key I2 is releasably secured to the shaft H to turn therewith and is adapted to turn he shaft H under control of thearmature 6. The key l2 includes a. tip contact l4 and a ring contact. [8 that are adapted to engage commutator rings I 6 and 20,.respectively, on the commutator shaft II. The tip [4 isconnected to one side of the lamp by a conductor l5 while the other side of the lamp I3 is permanently connected through a resistor ll to the ring 18. The commutator ring [6 which is mounted on the commutator shaft ll includes a flat portion l9 that is in contact with the tip H. in all rotatable positions. of the shaft H, and

a circular portion 2| that is adapted to. engage.

4 a stationary brush or contact 22 in certain positions of the commutator shaft. The commutator ring 20 includes a flat portion 23 that is always in engagement with the ring l8 and arcuate portions 24 and 25 that are adapted to engage brushes or contacts 25, 21 and 28 in various positions of the shaft l I. The contacts 22 and 26 are connected to line conductors I and l, respectively, whereas the contacts 2'! and 28 are connected to two different audible alarms 29 and 30 which in turn are connected to the line I. The audible alarms 29 and 30 are designed so that they give distinctly different sounds. For instance, one may be a bell and the other may be a buzzer. When conditions are normal" and the parts are in the positions illustrated in Figure l the circuits for the lamp l3 and for the alarms 29 and 3d are open.

A description will now be given of the operation of the device upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition which results in the closure of the switch contacts 2. This causes energization of the winding 4: and consequent attraction of the armature 6. The armature 6 pivots about the pivot 1 and withdraws the latch 8- from the path of the latch pin l0. This allows the rotatable commutator shaft H to turn, under the action of its spring to be hereafter described, to the position illustrated in Figure 2. In this position a circuit is established for the lamp l3 by the engagement of the commutator IS with the contact 22 and engagement of the commutator 28 with the contact 26. commutator portion 25 engages the contact 28 and thus completes a circuit for the audible alarm 30. At this time the contact 27 is free of the commutator ring 2.4 so that no circuit is established to the audible alarm 29. The audible alarm. 30 calls the operators attention to the annunciator and when there are many side by side annunciator devices onthe switchboard the lighted condition of the particular lamp l3 informs the operator which annunciator has operated, and the position of the pointer key 12 also indicates which circuit is in trouble.

If the alarm is av momentary type alarm the contact 2 opens at once-and deenergizes the coil 4 allowing the armature-5 to return to the position of Figure l. The operator can then manually turn the key l2 back to normal, thus loading the return spring; and latch in the normal" position as shown in Figure i. If the alarm is a maintainedtype alarm the contact 2. remains closed and the coil 4 remains. energized. so that the armature 6 remains pulled towards the. coil 4, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The-operator cannot then turn the key hack to the. normal position and leave it there because: as soon. as the operator releases the key iZthere is immediate restoration of the shaft H to the. alarmposition of Figure 2. The operator can, however, turn the key !2 from the alarm position onward to the trouble position indicated in;Fig-- ure 3, where the latch pin l6 engages an armature latch, 31 at that end ofLthe armature 6-0pposite where the latch 31 is located. This latches the shaft in the troublef position. At this time the contacts 27' and 28 are free and clear of the commutator ring, 29. so that thecircuits'for both audible alarms; 29 and. so. are open.- The lamp I3 is now in its, trouble. position and remains lighted by reason of the fact that the contact 26 is in engagement with the portion 24 of the commutator ring 28 which completesan operat ingcircuitior the lamp. [3. The rotatable com- At the same time the gizing the winding 2 and permitting the armature 3- to'restcre to its normal position. This-moves the latch 35 free of the latch pin [9 on the armature shaft l and the shaft therefore rotates under its spring loading'from the position illus-x trated in Figure. 3 to the position illustrated in Figure l. In this positionthe circuit for the lamp.

I3 remains closed because of engagement of the contact 26 with the portion 24 of the commutator ring 2!). At this time also the portion 25 of the commutator ring'iil engages the contact 2! and establishes a circuit for the audible alarm 29. i

This alarm, being different in sound from that of the alarm 3i informs the operator that the previously existing trouble has been cleared. The

lighted condition of the signal lamp and the'position of the keyl2 indicate the particular location where the trouble has been cleared. The operator can then turn the key l2 from the clear position of Figure 4 to the normal positionof Figure l to restore normal conditions of the annunciator A. When the operator has turned the key i2 and therefore the shaft I tothe normal position, while thearmature 6 and its latch are in their deenergized position asillustrated in Figures 1 or i, the latch pin it] rides over the curved back of the latch 8 and then engages the latch which thereupon actson the pin to hold the shaft ii against return rotation by its loading spring. 1

Reference may now be had more particularly to Figures o'through Qwhich show the mechanical arrangement for biasing and actuating the commutator shaft H, The commutator shaft la tch'pin it isrigidly securedto the shaft and has a projection against which an end of a coiledspring It? bears. In the normal position one end of the springbears against the projection 35 and the other end bears against-a stop pin 32 that is carried by a' stationary plate '38, said pin projectingat right angles to the plate and extending through an arcuate slot 39 in the plate, in which slot it is slidable, being held in its adjusted position by a spring Washer that is pressed against the bearing plate 38 lby a pair of lock nuts ii-4| on the pin 32. Two p-in positioning cams 43- 34 are mounted on the shaft H to rotate therewith. These cams engage the stop pin 32 and move it from one position to the other in the slot 35), depending upon the position and movement of the shaft H, by the manual turning of the key i2.

When the annunciator is in the normal position the spring urges the shaft H in a direction counter-clockwise as seen in Figure 5, which motion of the shaft is prevented by the latch 8. When the latch B is retracted by energizaticn of the coil i and consequent movement of the armature 6 (Fig. l) the shaft moves to the alarm position illustrated in Figure 6. In this movement the positioning cam 43 moves away from the stop'pin 32 and the spring arm 33' moves-up to engagement'with the stop pin 32. This limits falarmposition illustrated .in Figure 6.

The operator can then turn the key in a" direc tion counter-clockwise, as seen in Figure 6, from the position of Figure 6 towards the position of Figure. '7. In the movement of the shaft II from the position of Figure 6 towards the position of Figure '7 the projecting pin 36 first engages the spring end 35 and tensions the spring. At this time the end 330i the spring remains in contact with the stop pin 32. Loading of the spring continues until the positioning cam 44 engages the stop pin 32. Therefore continued turnin of the shaft causes thepositioning cam 44 to move the stop pin v32inthe slot 39, thus causing the two ends 33-35 of the. spring both to move together, the end 33 of the spring following the stop pin 32. This condition continues until the trouble posttion of Figure 7 is reached at which time the stop pin lilrides over the latch 3|. If the trouble is a maintained trouble the latch 3| is in'its latching position so that when the shaft reaches the position. of Figure '7 and the operator releases the key |2,'the pin it; is latched by thelatch 3|. At this time the spring end 35 is in engagement with the projection 36 on the pin IB and urges the shaft i l in a direction clockwise as seen in Figure 7,. towards the position of Figure 8, being kept from moving to that. position by the latch 3|. When the trouble clears and the coil 2 is deenergized the latch 38 swingsout of position and thus permits the spring end 35 to rotate the shaft i| until the spring end comes in contact with the stop pin 32. This is the clear position illustrated in Figures- 4 and 8. The operator can then turn the shaft l in a direction clockwise as seen in Figure '8, back to the normal position by turning of the key l2. When the shaft is turned clockwise from the position of Figure 8 to the position of Figure 5 the stop pin 32 first holds the spring end 35 While the projection 36 moves with the spring end 33 to load the spring. This continues until the positioning cam 4-3 engages the stop pin 32. Thereafter continued turning of the shaft causes the stop pin 32- to move With the projection 36, maintaining the loaded condition of the spring, until the stop pin it rides under and is engaged by the latch 53, at which time the shaft I is in its normal position and a release of the key i2 leaves the shaft ii latched in the normal position.

' Reference may now he had more particularly to Figures 9, 10, ll and 12 which show the construction of the key i2 and the rotatable commutator shaft. The key fits into the hollow end of the shaft I and is held thereby friction and may be inserted or withdrawn at will. The commutator shaft comprises a cylindrical insulating stud 50 which extends through a circular hole in a plate 5| on which the cams it-44 are formed. The plate 5| is secured to a plastic tubular sleeve 52 in any desired manner as, for instance, by a set screw 54. The cylindrical stud 5i] fits into the s1eeve'52 and is secured thereto as by a set screw 56. The stud 53, plate 5|, and sleeve 52 thus constitute one unit which is the commutator shaft i i. The end of the stud within the sleeve has a longitudinal key slot 57 therein for receiving a flat shank which constitutes the tip of the key i2, as will be hereinafter explained. The commutator rings 56 and 29 are mounted on the plastic tubular sleeve 52 and to that effect the sleeve is slotted, as indicated at 58 and 59.

The key l2 comprises a molded body of insulation 'in which is embedded the lamp H, the resistor H, the tip terminal l4 and the ring i8. The tip terminal l4 comprises a copper rod 60 one end of which'is flattened. as indicated at'62,

to constitute a key that fits into the slot 51 of the stud 50. A body of plastic 65 is molded around the rod, the lamp [3, the resistor I1 and also holds the ring (8. One terminal of the lamp is connected directly to the rod 60 and the opposite terminal of the lamp connects through the resistors H, from which a copper conductor extends from the other terminal of the resistor to the ring I 8, that conductor also being embedded in the plastic 65. The plastic 65 is preferably clear transparent plastic, although it. is within the purview of this invention to use a colored transparent plastic. The key assembly may be inserted into and removed from the annunciator by a simple plug in or pull out action. When that is done the tip portion 62 engages the flat part IQ of the commutator l6 and flexes it outwardly a very slight amount. The fiat key part 62 has a pair of slight notches therein so that the fiat portion I9 of the commutator spring.

18 engages one of those notches and resiliently holds the plug in the sleeve 52. At the same time the flattened end 62 enters the key slot 51 in the stud 50 so that by turning of the key the operator can turn the shaft l l which includes the stud 50 and the plate i and the tubular sleeve 52.

In some annunciators it is desirable to have the annunciator indicate normal conditions upon the existence of a closed circuit and indicate abnormal conditions when that circuit is open. This result can be obtained with the annunciator of the present invention by shifting the position of the relay 4, as indicated in Figure 14-. When this is done the relay is connected in circuit with normal closed switch contacts 2 that are located on the machine or part of the machine to be protected. The armature 6 of the relay is therefore normally attracted by the magnetic action of the winding 4 in a closed circuit. When the winding 4 is open circuited, as by opening of the switch 2, the armature 6 is moved to its alternative position, namely, the position of Figure 2, by a spring or the like.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes I have here shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction here shown, the same being merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. What I consider new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electric alarm device comprising a spring loaded rotatable member, latch means for latching said member in either of two positions, electromagnetic latch means, means effective upon actuation of the latch means for stopping res toration of the member under its spring loading in either of two different positions depending upon the position in which the member had last been latched, and a removable key fitting said rotatable member for turning it and being also turned by said member so that the position of the key indicates the position of the rotatable member.

2. An electric alarm device comprising a spring loaded rotatable member, latch means for latching said member in either of two positions, electromagnetic latch means, means effective upon actuation of the latch means for stopping restoration of the member under its spring loading in either of two difierent positions depending upon the position in which the member had last been latched, a removable key fitting said rotatable member for turning it and being also turned by saidimember. so that the position of the key in dicates the position ofthe. rotatable member, an electric signal light carried by said key, and contact means controlled by the turning, of said member for controlling said signal light.

3.. Inan electric alarm device a rotatable member having two stop positions and manually movable. from one stop position to the. other, spring means and meansfor loading the spring means upon rotation of the member in one directionfrom one stop position and in the other direction from the other stop position, means for latching the member in positions reached upon rotation in one direction from one stop position and in theopposite direction fromthe opposite'stop position,,and electromagnetic meansv for releasing, the latch means whereby therotatable spring loaded member returnsto thecorresponding, stop position.

4. In an electric alarm device a rotatable member having two stop positions and manually movable from one stop position to the other, springmeans and means for loading the spring means upon rotation of the member in one direction from one stop position and in the'other direction from the other stop position, means for latching the member in positions reached upon rotation in one direction from one stop position and in the opposite direction from the opposite stop position, electromagnetic means for releasing the latch means whereby the rotatable spring loaded member returnsto thecorresponding stop position, and plug-in key means for r0- tating therotatable-member from one stop position to the: other and from either stop position to either spring loaded latched position, said key means being insertable into said rotatable member and being rotatable thereby so that the posi-- tion of the key means indicates the position of the rotatable member.

5. In an electric alarm device a rotatable memher-having two stop positions and manually movable from one stop position to the other, spring means and means for loading the spring means upon rotation. of the member in one direction from one stop position and in the other direction from the other stop position, means for latching the member inpositions reached upon rotation in onev direction from one stop position and in the opposite direction from the opposite stop position, electromagnetic means for releasing the latch meanswhereby the rotatable spring loaded member returns to the corresponding stop position, plug-in key means for rotating the rotatable member from one stop position to the other and from either stop position to either spring loaded latched position, said key means being insertable into said rotatable member and being, rotatable thereby so that the position of the key means indicates the position of the rotatable member, and signal circuits controlled from 'difierent positions of the member.

6. In an electric alarm device a rotatable memher having two stop. positions and manually movable from onestop position to the other, spring means and. means for loading, the spring means upon rotation of the member in one direction from one stop position and in the'other direction from the other stop position, means for latching the member in positions reached upon rotation in one direction from one stop position and in the opposite direction from the opposite stop position, electromagnetic means for releasing the latch means whereby the rotatable spring loaded member. returns to the corresponding stop pos tion, and signal circuits controlled from different positions of the member.

'7. In combination with a number of similar electric alarm devices each including a rotatable member having a stop position, spring means and means for loading the spring means upon rotation of the member from the stop position, means for latching the member in its spring loaded position, electromagnetic means for releasing the latch means whereby the rotatable spring loaded member returns to the stop position, plug-in key means for rotating the rotatable member from the stop position to the spring loaded latched position, said key means being insertable into said rotatable member and being rotatable thereby so that the position of the key means indicates the position of the rotatable member; and signal circuits common to all of said devices and controlled by rotation of the member of any of said devices, whereby the operation of a signal circuit indicates the operation of an alarm device and the position of the rotatable member on one of the devices indicates which device has operated.

8. In an electric alarm device a rotatable member having a stop position, spring means and means for loading the spring means upon rotation of the member from the stop position, means for latching the member in its spring loaded position, electromagnetic means for releasing the latch means whereby the rotatable spring loaded member returns to the stop position, plug-in key means for rotating the rotatable member from the stop position to the spring loaded latched position, said key means being insertable into said rotatable member and being rotatable thereby so that the position of the key means indicates the position of the rotatable member, signal circuits controlled by rotation of the member, and a signal light mounted on the key and connected in one of the circuits.

9. In an electric alarm device a rotatable member having two stop positions and manually movable from one stop position to the other, spring means and means for loading the spring means upon rotation of the member from either stop position, means for latching the member in difierent positions reached upon rotation from either stop position, and electromagnetic means for releasing the latch means whereby the rotatable spring loaded member returns to the corresponding stop position.

10. In an electric alarm device a rotatable member having two stop positions and manually movable from one stop position to the other, spring means and means for loading the spring means upon rotation of the member from either stop position, means for latching the member in difierent positions reached upon rotation from either stop position, electromagnetic means for releasing the latch means whereby the rotatable spring loaded member returns to the corresponding stop position, and plug-in key means for rotating the rotatable member from one stop position to the other and from either stop position to either spring loaded latched position, said key means being insertable into said rotatable member and being rotatable thereby so that the position of the key means indicates the position of the rotatable member.

11. In an electric alarm device a rotatable member having two stop positions and manually movable from. one stop position to the other, spring means and means for loading the spring means upon rotation of the member from either stop position, means for latching the member in different positions reached upon rotation from either stop position, electromagnetic means for releasing the latch means whereby the rotatable spring loaded member returns to the corresponding stop position, and signal circuits controlled from different positions of the member.

12. In an electric alarm device a rotatable member having two stop positions and manually movable from one stop position to the other, spring means and means for loading the spring means upon rotation of the member from either stop position, means for latching the member in difierent positions reached upon rotation from either stop position, electromagnetic means for releasing the latch means whereby the rotatable spring loaded member returns to the corresponding stop position, plug-in key means for rotating the rotatable member from one stop position to the other and from either stop position to either, spring loaded latched position, said key means being insertable into said rotatable member and being rotatable thereby so that the position of the key means indicates the position of the rotatable member, and signal circuits controlled from different positions of the member.

ERIC D. SMITH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 350,450 Tucker Oct. 5, 1886 1,083,566 Stone Jan. 6, 1914 1,142,102 Kettering June 8, 1915 1,510,587 Diegel Oct. 7, 1924 1,554,048 Thomas Sept. 15, 1925 1,576,276 Hedges et al Mar. 9, 1926 1,664,215 Hunt Mar. 27, 1928 2,116,947 Ketay May 10, 1938 2,434,065 Courtney Jan. 6, 1948 

